DCI Neil Jamieson, of West Mercia Police, said: “We have been particularly interested in the work by Avon and Somerset Police to investigate the murder of Reverend John Suddards.

“We have been working with them to examine similarities with the murder of Betty Yates. We will continue our unre- lenting efforts to bring the offender responsible for this dreadful crime to justice.”

Farrow was arrested at a house in Folkestone, Kent, after a tip-off. Neighbours heard “shouting and a commotion” as six police cars arrived.

One man said the house was lived in by a woman in her 50s and her three grown-up sons. Det Chief Insp Simon Crisp, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Early yesterday morning, on our behalf, Kent Police arrested Stephen Farrow.

“It was as a direct result of assistance from a member of the public that we were able to locate this man and we’d like to ex- press our sincere thanks.”

Kindly Rev Suddards recently confided in parishioners at St Mary’s Church in Thornbury, Glos, that helping strangers meant he had “a bit of a risky job”.